Ulsan city is deploying drones, unmanned rescue boards, and jet-ski-mounted teams at Jinha Beach to reduce drowning accidents during the summer heat [1, 2].

The initiative comes as intense heat increases the number of visitors to beaches and streams, raising the risk of water-related emergencies [1, 2]. By integrating high-tech equipment, the city aims to decrease casualties through faster response times and improved accessibility in dangerous terrain.

Disaster response officer Jang Hoon of the Ulsan Namulju Fire Department said the equipment is critical for reaching victims in hazardous environments. He said the gear allows rescuers to access targets even where tetrapods, reefs, and coastal rocks are scattered [1, 2].

These tools currently serve as core assets for the 119 Citizen Water Rescue Team operating at Jinha Beach [1, 2]. The deployment includes unmanned rescue boards that can be dispatched quickly to a victim and drones that provide aerial surveillance to locate swimmers in distress.

Jet-ski-mounted rescue teams are also being utilized to navigate the surf more efficiently than traditional land-based responses [1, 2]. The city is conducting ongoing equipment checks to ensure all systems are operational as the peak vacation season begins.

Officials said the strategy focuses on minimizing human casualties by leveraging technology to bridge the gap between the moment a person is spotted and the moment a rescuer reaches them [1, 2].

“Ulsan city is deploying drones, unmanned rescue boards, and jet-ski-mounted teams.”

The integration of unmanned systems into public safety protocols reflects a growing trend in South Korea to mitigate the risks of hazardous coastal geography. By utilizing drones and remote-controlled boards, rescue teams can bypass physical barriers like tetrapods—concrete structures used for breakwaters—that often trap swimmers and hinder human rescuers.